Plain-English guides to the scams, tricks and tech problems we see every week in Kansas — with real-world examples so you know exactly what to look for.
Start here
If you only read three guides, make it these.
Scams & phishingHow to Spot a Tech Support Scam (and What a Real Tech Will Never Ask You to Do)Fake pop-ups, surprise phone calls and gift-card payments. Here is how tech support scams work, the red flags to watch for, and what to do if a scamme…Read the guide →
Scams & phishing7 Red Flags in a Phishing Email (With a Real-World Example)An annotated example phishing email and the seven red flags to check before you click, plus what to do if you already did.Read the guide →
Scams & phishingThat “Your Computer Is Infected” Pop-Up Is Fake: How to Spot ScarewareA flashing warning says your computer is infected and tells you to call a number. That is scareware. Here is how to spot it, close it and recover if y…Read the guide →All guides
Security alertOffice 2021 Support Ends October 13: What Kansas Businesses Need to Do NowMicrosoft ends support for Office 2021 on October 13, 2026, with no extension and no extended security updates. Here is what to do.Read the guide →
Security alertIs Your Microsoft 365 Backup Still Working? Microsoft Is Shutting Off EWSMicrosoft is turning off an old connection method called EWS in Microsoft 365. Older backup, CRM and scheduling tools may quietly stop working.Read the guide →
Security alertMikroTik Router Owners: Attackers Are Taking Over Routers. Patching Alone Isn’t EnoughAttackers are taking over MikroTik routers that have SSH exposed to the internet. Updating is step one; checking for a backdoor is step two.Read the guide →
Security alertCameras and HVAC Controls on Your Business Network? New Warnings Show Why to Separate ThemNew government advisories on building controllers and a camera cloud used by hundreds of brands show why these devices belong on their own network.Read the guide →
Security alertVPN and Remote-Access Gateways Are Under Attack: Questions to Ask Your IT ProviderAttackers spent September 2026 breaking into remote-access and network security appliances. Here is what it means for your business.Read the guide →
Security alertRunning Your Own Server? SharePoint, GitLab and Linux Flaws Are Being ExploitedAttackers are exploiting flaws in self-hosted SharePoint Server, GitLab and the Linux kernel. If you run your own server, here is what to do.Read the guide →
Security alertBuying Microsoft Copilot? Watch the New Usage Billing and Check the Nonprofit DiscountNew Copilot Business subscriptions will come with pay-as-you-go billing already turned on. Here is what to set first, plus a discount for churches and nonprofits.Read the guide →Scams & phishingHow to Spot a Tech Support Scam (and What a Real Tech Will Never Ask You to Do)Fake pop-ups, surprise phone calls and gift-card payments. Here is how tech support scams work, the red flags to watch for, and what to do if a scamme…Read the guide →Scams & phishingThat “Your Computer Is Infected” Pop-Up Is Fake: How to Spot ScarewareA flashing warning says your computer is infected and tells you to call a number. That is scareware. Here is how to spot it, close it and recover if y…Read the guide →
Scams & phishingHow Search Results Can Land You in Trouble: Fake Ads, Fake Support Numbers and Bad DownloadsScammers buy search ads and build look-alike sites so the first result you see is theirs. Here is how fake support numbers and bad downloads hide in s…Read the guide →Scams & phishing7 Red Flags in a Phishing Email (With a Real-World Example)An annotated example phishing email and the seven red flags to check before you click, plus what to do if you already did.Read the guide →Scams & phishingEmail Safety and Identifying Phishing AttemptsEmail has become an integral part of our personal and professional lives, providing a convenient and efficient means of communication. However, with t…Read the guide →
Scams & phishingScam Text Messages (Smishing): Unpaid Tolls, Package Holds and Fake Bank AlertsUnpaid toll texts, package holds, fake bank alerts and “wrong number” chats are all smishing. See examples and learn what to do with a scam text.Read the guide →
Scams & phishing“Are You Available? I Need a Favor”: The Gift Card Scam That Pretends to Be Your BossAn urgent message from “the boss” asking an employee to buy gift cards is one of the most common small business scams. Here is how it works and how to…Read the guide →
Scams & phishingQR Code Scams: Why That Parking Meter Sticker Could Cost YouFake QR code stickers on parking meters, flyers and emails send you to look-alike payment pages. Here is how to scan safely.Read the guide →
Scams & phishing“A Document Was Shared With You”: How Fake Sign-In Pages Steal Passwords“Someone shared a file with you” emails lead to fake sign-in pages that steal your password. See an example and learn how to tell real from fake.Read the guide →
Scams & phishingFake Renewal Invoices: “Your Subscription Has Been Renewed for $399.99”Emails saying your antivirus or support plan renewed for hundreds of dollars want you to call a fake refund department. Here is how the scam works.Read the guide →
Scams & phishing“Is This You in This Video?” How Hacked Social Media Accounts Spread ScamsMessages from friends asking “is this you in this video?” or for a code usually come from hacked accounts. Here is how to spot them and protect yourse…Read the guide →
Scams & phishingAI Voice Cloning and the “Grandparent Scam”: When a Loved One’s Voice Isn’t RealScammers can now copy a loved one’s voice with AI and call pretending to be in trouble. Here are the warning signs and one simple defense.Read the guide →
Scams & phishingSelling Online? Watch for These Marketplace Buyer ScamsSelling on an online marketplace? Learn the verification code scam, overpayment refunds and fake checks, and how to sell safely.Read the guide →
Scams & phishingFake Job Offers and Check Scams: “You’re Hired — No Interview Needed!”Remote job offers by text with no interview, high pay and a check to deposit are scams. Here is how they work and what to watch for.Read the guide →
Scams & phishingTax Season Scams: Fake IRS Texts, Refund Emails and Threatening CallsFake refund texts and threatening “IRS” calls spike every tax season. Here is how the IRS really contacts you and how to protect your refund.Read the guide →
Scams & phishingFake Bank-Change Requests: The Email Scam That Steals Business PaymentsAn email asking you to send a vendor payment to a new bank account is one of the costliest business scams. Here is how to stop it.Read the guide →
Computer & browserIs Your Browser Hijacked? Signs, Causes and How to Fix ItSpammy notifications, a new homepage and pages that redirect on their own are signs your browser has been hijacked. Here is what causes it and how to …Read the guide →
Computer & browser“Your Browser Is Out of Date”: Fake Update Pop-Ups That Install MalwareWebsites that say your browser is out of date and offer an “Update Now” download are installing malware. Here is how real updates work.Read the guide →
Computer & browserNavigating the Digital Frontier: Internet Safety in Today’s WorldUnderstanding the Risks The internet is teeming with potential threats, ranging from cyberbullying and identity theft to malware and phishing scams. C…Read the guide →
Computer & browserPublic Wi-Fi Safety: Look-Alike Networks and What Not to Do on Hotel and Café Wi-FiLook-alike Wi-Fi networks and open hotspots can expose your information. Here is how to use public Wi-Fi and charging stations more safely.Read the guide →
Computer & browserSlow or Spotty Office Wi-Fi? 7 Fixes to Try Before You Call Your Internet ProviderDead zones and dropped calls are often a Wi-Fi problem, not an internet problem. Seven practical fixes for small offices, shops and homes.Read the guide →
Passwords & accountsPassword Safety 101: Protect Yourself OnlineIn today’s digital world, your passwords are the first line of defense against cyber threats. Weak passwords and poor security habits can put your per…Read the guide →
Passwords & accountsMFA Fatigue: Why You Should Never Tap “Approve” on a Sign-In You Didn’t StartRepeated “Approve sign-in?” prompts on your phone mean someone has your password. Here is how MFA fatigue attacks work.Read the guide →
For businessesBreak-Fix vs. Managed IT: Which Makes Sense for a Small Kansas Business?Pay for IT help only when something breaks, or pay monthly to keep it from breaking? A plain-English comparison for small businesses.Read the guide →
For businessesWhy Penetration Testing Is No Longer OptionalCybersecurity threats are no longer limited to large corporations in big cities. Rural businesses, municipalities, churches, medical offices, schools,…Read the guide →
For businessesSwitching Your Business Phones to VoIP: 8 Questions to Ask FirstThinking about moving your business phones to VoIP? Ask these eight questions about numbers, pricing, internet, failover and 911 before you switch.Read the guide →For businessesThe Pitfalls of Thinking We’re Tech-SavvyWhy Consulting a Professional is Essential In today’s digital age, technology plays an integral role in our lives. With the increasing availability of…Read the guide →Print these out, put them by the phone, share them with parents and employees.
Real tech support doesn't call out of the blue. You call them, at a number you know.
Verification codes unlock your accounts. Nobody legitimate will ask you to read one back.
No real business, government agency or boss asks to be paid in gift cards.
Not the number in the email, text or pop-up. Use your bill, card, contacts or the official website.
Sites you allow to send notifications are a top source of fake virus alerts and pop-ups. Real websites rarely need them.
A two-minute call to 620-960-8711 can save you thousands. We're happy to take a look.
Disconnect from the internet and call us. We clean up after scams every week — no judgment.
